Telling Time in Spanish

When asking or telling the time in Spanish, the verb ser is used:

 ¿Qué hora es?
What time is it?

 Es la una. - It's one o'clock.

 Son las dos. - It's two o'clock.

 Son las doce. - It's twelve o'clock.

Note: The plural form (son) is used for two o'clock through twelve.

Instead of saying 15 minutes, cuarto is generally used. Media is used instead of 30 minutes.

 Es la una y cuarto.
It is one-fifteen (1:15).

 A la una y media.
At one-thirty (1:30).

Note: Minutes up to half an hour are added to the hour using y; above that, they are typically subtracted from the hour withmenos.

 Son las cinco y diez. 
It's ten after five.

 Son las tres menos cuarto. 
It's two forty-five (2:45).

 Son las tres menos diez.
It's ten till three (2:50).